Wed Feb 15 2023
Freestanding Tub vs. Clawfoot Tub – Which Is Best in 2023?
It is a fact that a bathtub is about both style and functionality. Getting both in a single tub can be quite tricky. The reason is that there are only two types of tubs that have both style and functionality: Freestanding tubs and clawfoot tubs. Yes, other types of tubs have advantages over these two styles, such as alcove bathtubs and jetted tubs, but these tubs lack what the freestanding and clawfoot tub offers: simple functionality. Imagine if you have an alcove tub and want to remodel your bathroom; removing the tub from your bathroom floor and re-installing it in the newly renovated bathroom can be a complex and difficult process. It can also weigh on your budget since it is necessary to hire a professional to do the work. When it comes to the freestanding tub or clawfoot tub, removing the tub and placing it in the new bathroom by yourself is simple and easy.
So, there are advantages to using freestanding and clawfoot tubs, but which is the best for your bathroom? In this article, we will explore in depth both freestanding tubs and clawfoot tubs so that we can make an informed decision on which is the best fit for your bathroom.
Freestanding Tub – What Is It?
It is best to know what a freestanding tub actually is before we dive into more information. As the name suggests, a freestanding tub is a type of bathtub where the tub can stand independently without any external support. The following images can help you to give a general idea of how the freestanding tub looks:
An Acrylic Freestanding Bathtub
A freestanding tub gives you a “floating” look to your bathroom. Meaning since the bathtub does not require any support, it looks like it is floating. With the freestanding bathtub, you can substantially improve your bathroom ambience to a greater level.
Now, you may wonder, “it has a “modern” aura to it, but what about the functionality? The freestanding tub is no slouch when it comes to comfort and overall functionality. The bather (you) can easily submerge up to your shoulder without any difficulties. Usually, almost all freestanding tubs have a lot of legroom to work with, so you don’t have to worry about being cramped within the tub.
Material Availability for the Freestanding Bathtub:
The freestanding bathtub is one of the most popular bathtub types in the market, meaning there are many materials available. The popular ones are:
- Acrylic
- Cast Iron
- Copper
- Natural Wood
- Stone-resin,
- Ceramic
Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, an acrylic bathtub is much more flexible and weighs less when compared to cast iron or a copper bathtub, but it lacks durability. Natural wood has more maintenance steps than other materials but has more medicinal advantages than other materials.
The main note is that different materials come at different prices. The cheapest ones are the acrylic and the stone-resin bathtub. When it comes to bathtub material, this is the user's preference. If you want the cheapest bathtub possible, you can go for acrylic or stone resin, or if you prefer having more medicinal properties and durability, you can go for a natural wood or copper bathtub.
Benefits of Choosing a Freestanding Bathtub:
The first benefit is saving considerable space in your bathroom. As mentioned above, the freestanding bathtub does not require any support so you can save a lot of space. You can easily fix the tub on your bathroom floor.
This brings us to the next advantage, which is the easy installation. Installing a freestanding bathtub is simple and does not require professional help except being shipped from the manufacturer. You can easily install the bathtub in your bathroom with the help of a tube of silicone sealant.
The next benefit is the availability of styles. The acrylic bathtub material is one of the most flexible materials, meaning you can “manipulate” the material into the desired shape you want. The next advantage is maintenance. Since there are only a small amount of external parts (drain line and add-ons accessories), maintenance is comparatively easier. All green-bathtub cleaning agents can get the job done swiftly.
Clawfoot Tub – What Is It?
On contrary to the freestanding tub, the clawfoot tub is a bathtub that comes with two sets of feet to support its own weight. That is the main and most noticeable difference between the two tubs. The following images can help to get a general idea of the clawfoot tub:
A Cast Iron Clawfoot Bathtub
A clawfoot tub gives you a “vintage” look in your bathroom because of its legs. If you are interested in vintage, old art items, then surely clawfoot is your best choice when it comes to bathtub selection. The functionality of the clawfoot tub is the best in the class. A lot of depth and the leg room help to experience a great bathing feeling. When it comes to functionality, both freestanding and clawfoot tub is the same except for some external features, such as clawfoot.
Material Availability for the Clawfoot Tub:
The main thing to note is that the popular material for clawfoot is more or less the same as the freestanding tub, but the amount is comparatively smaller, such as:
- Acrylic
- Cast iron
- Copper.
The above three are the popular material for a clawfoot tub. The list is not much larger than the freestanding tub, but these three materials can get the job done perfectly either in style or functionality. For example, an acrylic material, as said above, is great for manipulating the desired shape, and it's cheap. Copper is the best material for heat retention, and because of that, you can save a noticeable amount of money on your electricity bills. Its durability is much higher than other materials. Cast iron is the middle ground between copper and acrylic. Cast iron is recommended if you want high durability at a reasonable price. But the choice depends on your requirements if you want your bathtub to have more styles, acrylic is the best choice, or you can get copper for high heat retention, but the price is substantially higher than the acrylic bathtub. Or you can go with cast iron with all the perks, such as durability and heat retention (comparatively lower than copper), to get a decent bathing experience at an affordable price.
The Benefits of Choosing a Clawfoot Tub:
The first advantage is maintenance. Even though the maintenance is easy in the freestanding tub, it is much easier in the clawfoot tub. The main reason is the presence of the two sets of feet. You can easily clean under the tub without difficulties, unlike freestanding tubs.
The second advantage is easy installation. Like the freestanding bathtub, the installation is simple and can be done without professional help. Choose the place where you want to install your bathtub and place it. As simple as that. Unlike freestanding tubs, there is no need to fix the tub to the floor.
The third advantage is style. One of the most popular materials for a clawfoot tub is acrylic, meaning a wide variety of styles are available in the market. You may want to settle on a vintage-style clawfoot tub since it looks phenomenal and gives that rustic feeling to your bathroom.
FAQs:
The main reason is the considerable space saved in your bathroom. Since the freestanding tub does not require any external support, you can save a lot of space, and the other perk people like is the simple installation and maintenance process.
Silicone sealant is used to fix the freestanding bathtub to the bathroom floor. This helps ensure that the full-weight bathtub does not tilt over and damage the floor. This can be eliminated with a clawfoot tub.
The answer depends on the customer’s needs. Both have pros and cons, but generally, the freestanding tub has a more stylish look than clawfoot. A freestanding tub is the best choice if you lean more toward style.
Final Thoughts:
Which is better, freestanding or clawfoot tub? Both are popular among people and have more pros than other bathtub styles. It is tough competition, but with the facts on hand, we have to say that it is the freestanding tub simply because of the styles available in the market. Even though all the advantages are almost identical for each bathtub, the style and material options make the freestanding tub the winner of the “contest.”
At the end of the day, it is about the user’s needs. If you want more of a modern look, go for freestanding, or if you want a vintage ambience, the clawfoot tub is the best choice. Magnus home product offers varieties of collections for both freestanding and clawfoot tubs. You can visit the collections here. This article hopes to give enough information on both freestanding and clawfoot bathtubs so that you can make an informed buying decision.